Nature’s Classroom: A Fun Approach to Gardening with Children

Gardening is a fabulous activity that not only teaches children how to grow their own plants, but also teaches patience, kindness, and trust. It shows them how to trust that their hard work will help seedlings mature into the flowers or crops on their package. Encourages kindness and patience that while you might not always see the plants growing, they are. Rather than making mud piles out in the rain, encourage them to be productive with their urges to dig in the mud! 

Start Small

It’s best to start with small, manageable projects when first introducing gardening to children. A small patch of land, a few pots on the balcony, or even a windowsill garden can be perfect for beginners. Choose plants that are easy to grow and maintain, such as herbs, lettuce, or sunflowers. These plants grow relatively quickly and provide a sense of accomplishment, keeping the kids engaged and excited. We can probably all remember as kids that we had little patience, so plants that grow faster than others will help to encourage a love for gardening. 

Make It Fun

The key to getting kids interested in gardening is to make it fun. Turn gardening into a game by giving them enjoyable tasks. For example, let them dig in the dirt, plant seeds, water the plants with a colorful watering can, and search for bugs. You can also create a themed garden, like a pizza garden with tomatoes, basil, and oregano, or a butterfly garden with plants that attract butterflies. Or encourage them to create a fairy garden with plants that they think will attract fairies! 

Use Child-Friendly Tools

Providing kids with their own set of child-friendly gardening tools can make the experience more enjoyable and safer. Be sure to look for tools that are lightweight and have rounded edges. A small trowel, a rake, a watering can, and gardening gloves in their size can make them feel like real gardeners. Additionally, using brightly colored tools can add an element of fun. Maybe even let your inner child through and get matching colored sets for you and your child!

Encourage Curiosity and Exploration

Gardening is a fantastic way to foster a child’s natural curiosity. Encourage them to ask questions and explore the garden. Teach them about different types of plants, insects, and soil. You can even start a gardening journal together where they can draw pictures of the plants, record their observations, and note the changes they see over time. This helps them learn about the life cycle of plants and the importance of caring for the environment.

Teach Through Stories and Activities

Kids love stories, so utilize books and stories to teach them about gardening. There are many children’s books available that focus on gardening and plants. Reading these stories can help spark their interest and imagination. The Tiny Seed by Eric Carle and Green Green: A Community Garden Story by Marie and Baldev Lamba are great books for sparking an interest in gardening with your littles! Additionally, you can incorporate gardening into arts and crafts activities. For instance, painting pots, making plant markers, or creating garden-themed art can be a great way to combine creativity with gardening.

Be Patient and Positive

Gardening requires patience which is a valuable lesson to kids and helps when you can work on it in a more controlled environment. Plants don’t grow overnight, and there will be setbacks, such as plants not growing as expected or pests damaging the crops. Use these moments as learning opportunities. Encourage a positive attitude by celebrating the small successes and showing them that gardening is a process that requires time and care.

Involve the Whole Family

Gardening can be a family activity that everyone enjoys. Involve siblings, parents, and even grandparents in the gardening projects. It makes the experience more enjoyable and provides an opportunity for family bonding. Working together in the garden can create lasting memories and instill a love for nature in the entire family!

Introducing kids to gardening is a wonderful way to teach them about nature, responsibility, and the rewards of hard work. By starting small, making it fun, and encouraging curiosity, you can foster a lifelong love of gardening in your children. Happy gardening!